Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Silver fox study reveals genetic clues to social behavior

A new Cornell University-led study has identified genes that were altered in tame animals in two areas of the brain involved with learning and memory. Genes impacting serotonergic and glutaminergic neurons, important for learning and memory, were clearly affected by selection toward tameness.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2018

Paternal diet and offspring health

A new study suggests that paternal diet influences offspring health by affecting sperm DNA methylation tags and seminal plasma immunological responses. Mice fed a low-protein diet had overweight offspring with dysfunctional metabolism, highlighting the importance of a healthy father's nutrition for child well-being.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 27, 2018

What keeps the brain awake

A subset of dopaminergic neurons are inhibited during the day by light-responsive neuropeptide Pigment Dispersing Factor (PDF) and its receptor (PDFR), promoting wakefulness. High daytime levels of PDF increase daytime sleep, while reducing PDFR expression decreases daytime sleep.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateJul 30, 2018

Unique brain 'fingerprint' can predict drug effectiveness

Researchers developed a personalized Therapeutic Intervention Fingerprint (pTIF) to predict the effectiveness of targeting specific biological factors for controlling neurological disease progression. This technique can categorize patients with their unique physiological needs, leading to more effective and tailored treatments.

SourceMcGill University·JournalNeuroImage·DateJul 10, 2018

The psychobiology of online gaming

A recent study published in the American Journal of Human Biology found that healthy gaming experiences are linked to favorable gene expression profiles. The research, led by Dr. Jeffrey Snodgrass, highlights the importance of social connectedness in mitigating negative effects of online gaming.

SourceWiley·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Biology·DateJun 21, 2018

Encrypted messages in biological processes

A study by a Danish-German research team reveals that modified RNA bases play a crucial role in controlling gene expression from DNA to functional RNA. The researchers used a newly developed technique to label newly made RNA with the m6A modification, demonstrating its impact on RNA maturation and splicing efficiency.

SourceAarhus University·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 20, 2018

Scientists discover a variation of the genome predisposing to Alzheimer's disease

Researchers found that inheriting a variation in the PM20D1 gene increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, making it an excellent candidate for clinical prevention trials. The study highlights the importance of international scientific collaboration and multidisciplinary research to tackle complex diseases like dementia.

Heartbeat out of sync

Researchers developed a method to improve electrical transmission in the heart by introducing the Connexin 43 gene into cells forming the infarct scar. Mice with overexpressed Cx43 showed reduced cardiac arrhythmias compared to control animals.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 8, 2018

The fewer the deadlier

Researchers discovered that HTLV-1 survives by evading immune surveillance through transient Tax expression in infected cells. This unique strategy allows the virus to maintain a population of infected leukemic cells, making it a potential target for new therapies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2018

Butterflies of the soul

Researchers have detailed for the first time how interneurons emerge and diversify in the brain, tracing their lineage from earliest precursor states to mature forms in mice. The study identified key genetic programs that determine the fate of developing interneurons, shedding light on their functions and potential treatment strategies.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature·DateMar 30, 2018

Precision medicine test may help detect coronary artery disease

A blood-based precision medicine test incorporating age, sex, and gene expression score (ASGES) helped evaluate older outpatients with symptoms of obstructive coronary artery disease. The study found higher incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events in those with high ASGES scores compared to low ASGES scores

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of the American Geriatrics Society·DateDec 6, 2017

Post-heart attack: How can scar tissue be turned back into healthy heart muscle?

Scientists at UNC School of Medicine compare two reprogramming techniques to generate patient-specific cardiomyocytes, finding that one method produces cells with embryonic cell signatures while the other yields cells with adult characteristics. This knowledge is crucial for developing new therapies and understanding cardiac disease.

T cell responses may help dodge dengue virus symptoms during infection

Researchers identified distinct gene expression patterns and immune signatures associated with asymptomatic dengue infections, revealing a supporting role for T cell protection. These findings could optimize vaccine development efforts by understanding what types of immune responses are important in defending the body against the disease.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 30, 2017